DATE: April 3, 2018
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Supervisor Nathan Magsig, District 5
SUBJECT: Assembly Bill 2975 (Friedman) - Wild and Scenic Rivers
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Authorize the Board of Supervisors to execute letter in opposition of Assembly Bill 2975 (Friedman), as introduced February 16, 2018; and
2. Authorize the Board of Supervisors to execute future letters through the legislative process with similar content in opposition of Assembly Bill 2975 (Friedman).
REPORT
Approval of the recommended actions would authorize the execution of letters in opposition of Assembly Bill 2975 (AB 2975). AB 2975 would expand the scope of California’s Wild and Scenic Rivers Act with potential adverse impacts on the State’s water supply system, water supply development, water rights, and drought response.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Your Board could choose not to execute the letter of opposition and/or require future letters of opposition to return to your Board for execution; however, that would delay submittal.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with the recommended actions.
DISCUSSION:
AB 2975 would expand the scope of the California’s Wild and Scenic Rivers Act with potential adverse impacts on the State’s water supply system, water supply development, water rights, and drought response. In addition, this bill could be used to obstruct the development of Temperance Flat’s vastly increased and water storage capability, which is essential to addressing the San Joaquin Valley’s current water crisis and new State groundwater sustainability mandates.
Staff recommends that your Board execute the proposed letter in opposition to AB 2975.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
Assembly Bill 2975
Letter of Opposition